Foot supporting and correcting device



June l1, 1929.

1j. A. HENIGAN FOOT SUPPORTING AND CORRECTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 5, 192.7

zfywfmmw ATTORNEY.

Patented June 11, 1929.'

UNITED STATES THOMAS A. HENIGAN,

OF QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

FOOT SUPPORTING AND, CORREOTING DEVICE.

Application filed August 5, 1927. Serial No. 210,944.

This invention relates to a supporting plate attached to an insole to be placed in a shoe and so constructed that it will support and deliver mechanical manipulation to themetatarsal arch of the foot.

The purpose of my invention is to help regain the normal functions or action of those foot structures that pertain to the metatarsus, and to provide at the same time not only temporary support to the arch, but also relief from pain caused by impingement in cases of metatarsal arch depression.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying` drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding arts throughout the several views, and in w ich Figure l is a face View of the device. Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Figure l.

As is well known, the supporting interossi muscles and ligaments of the metatarsal or transverse arch of the foot often lose their tone, (relaxing theirptension), causing the metatarsal bones forming the arch to drop and spread from their normal position, impinging the nerves and blood vessels which are ordinarily protected by the natural span,

and my object is to provide means for restoring these parts of the foot to their normal condition.

My invention comprises a convex ovoid plate l, with four rifts or incisions, the two middle ones 2 of which are cut from the front towards the center of the plate and the two external ones 2 are cut in the opposite direction and extend forwardly, forming iive spring blades l and providing a one piece spring contrivance of a strength and resiliency to render proper mechanical manipulation and of a curvature to provide natural elevation for the metatarsal arch.

The arched portion of this appliance may be readj usted to iit any individual metatarsal arch formation by bending the proper blades upwardly or downwardly to the desired degrec of elevation.

The plate is provided with two rivet holes and rivets 5 for attaching it to an insole 6, thus keeping the device in proper position and preventing it from slipping or sliding from side to side. The insole is skived at its forward end. The plate may be fashioned from steel, German silver, brass, bronze, or from allied metals or from horn.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the metatarsal arch support, in its preferred entirety, consists of a full length insole of pliable material, desirably of leather, to the under side of which is secured, by means of two rivets, the five-spring contrivance above described in such manner that the device itself is situated at a pointcorresponding to the ball of the foot and the curved portion thereof conforming to the curvature of the arch.

The bracing or propping up of the fallen metatarsal bones and the mechanical manipulation and the consequent strengthening of the interosseous muscles and ligaments, the normal functions of which are to support the arch and to preserve the elasticity thereof, takes place through the co-ordinating action of the appliance and of the foot in motion, thus mechanically aiding in the restoration of the normal. foot action in the metatarsal region.

The purpose of my invention is to help regain the normal functions or action of those foot structures that pertain to the metatarsus, and to provide at the same time not only temporary support to the arch, but also relief from pain caused by impingement in cases of metatarsal arch depression.

It is thought from the foregoing descrip- -tion that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall. within the scope of the appended claims.

That I claim is 1. A device of the class described comprising an insole, a plate connected thereto adjacent the toe end thereof, said plate being of convex shape and of ovoid form, wider at the forward end than at its other end, said plate having slots therein forming three forwardly extending spring blades and two rearwardly extending blades, the rear blades being at the sides of the plate.

2. A device of the class described comprising an insole, a pla-te connected thereto adj acent the toe end thereof, said plate being of spring material of convex ovoid form, wider at t-he forward end, with four sheared slits, two of which are in the middle, sheared into the plate from the forward end, back towards the center of the plate, and two of which are ear the outer edge. out into the side of the plate 'from the back, forming thereb;T a spring contrivanee of ive blades, the blades delivering a iexible and spring action to the plate which acts as a brace, prop or support, and gives mechanical manipulation to the Weakcned metatarsal arch of the human foot and to the atonic muscles and ligaments of the inetatarsus, restoring through said manipulation, their normal tension, pull and archsupporting function.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my Signature.

THOMAS A. HENIGAN. 

